amphibian disease chytridiomycosis
(Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis)
Origin
The exact origin of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis has not yet been determined.
Life Cycle
There are two stages of growth: it begins as a motile waterborne zoospore and becomes a stationary monocentric thallus which develops into a single zoosporangia (container for zoospores). B. dendrobatidis has not been shown to reproduce sexually. It grows optimally when temperatures are between 63–77°F (17.2–25°C) but can grow between 39–77°F (3.9–25°C).
Distribution
B. dendrobatidis is found on every continent where amphibians occur.
Control Efforts
In captivity, amphibians with B. dendrobatidis can be treated successfully by antifungal medication but there are no methods of effective treatment available for wild organisms (one strategy proposed is to treat some of an infected wild population in order to reduce the intensity of infection overall).
The exact origin of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis has not yet been determined.
Life Cycle
There are two stages of growth: it begins as a motile waterborne zoospore and becomes a stationary monocentric thallus which develops into a single zoosporangia (container for zoospores). B. dendrobatidis has not been shown to reproduce sexually. It grows optimally when temperatures are between 63–77°F (17.2–25°C) but can grow between 39–77°F (3.9–25°C).
Distribution
B. dendrobatidis is found on every continent where amphibians occur.
Control Efforts
In captivity, amphibians with B. dendrobatidis can be treated successfully by antifungal medication but there are no methods of effective treatment available for wild organisms (one strategy proposed is to treat some of an infected wild population in order to reduce the intensity of infection overall).
Invasive Listing Sources
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Fungi |
| Phylum: Chytridiomycota |
| Class: Chytridiomycetes |
| Order: Rhizophydiales |
| Family: Batrachochytriaceae |
| Genus: Batrachochytrium |
| Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis |